Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or aggravation and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current left leg disability other than lumbar radiculopathy, and the skin condition is not related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, hypertension, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not sustain a disease or injury while on active duty that caused his post-service disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical stenosis.

The Board has found the reduction in ratings for left knee conditions improper and restored the original ratings. The issues of increased ratings, effective dates, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports regarding flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially contributed to his death, and therefore grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable (0 percent).,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee pain, and right knee pain have all been granted.,Service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is the primary cause of his bilateral knee and shoulder pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, sinusitis, rhinitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's BPPV is also granted on a secondary basis to her headaches. Service connection for bladder disability and hip disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's appeals for TMJ, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability. The appeal regarding her eye condition is dismissed, and the issues of right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain was granted due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence, including lay statements, VA and non-VA medical treatment records, and a private etiology opinion. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability (lumbosacral strain) and that his back injury during service is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, but the appeal for TDIU and SMC Housebound was denied due to lack of a single service-connected disability rated as 100% or additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric and lower back conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The issues of service connection for disorders of the right and left hands, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a disorder of both feet, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, chronic headache disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, or establishing service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), deviated septum, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and peripheral vascular disease.